AUSTIN, Texas—On Sept. 30, 2011, Roger Gammon, M.D., interventional cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and director of research at Austin Heart, and Stanley Wang, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., clinical cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and director of legislative affairs at Austin Heart, will moderate Texans for Stem Cell Research’s 2nd Annual Educational Symposium at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Drs. Gammon and Wang will be joined by researchers from across the globe.
During the symposium, prominent medical researchers will highlight new developments in stem cell research. Doctors at Heart Hospital of Austin and Austin Heart, one of the largest non-academic cardiovascular research departments in the United States, have more than 20 years of research experience and are currently involved in more than 50 trials, including studies examining the use of adult stem cells to treat patients with cardiovascular diseases.
“We are dedicated to providing advanced care to patients while pioneering the science of medicine through clinical trials,” Dr. Gammon said. “For example, we are currently working to identify patients for a clinical trial to investigate the use of harvested adult stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow and injecting the stem cells back into that person’s leg in an effort to develop alternate routes of blood flow in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease. This may eliminate the need to amputate a patient’s limb.”
The symposium will showcase a number of researchers and physicians currently investigating potential stem cell applications for treating diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, degenerative eye diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and heart disease.
“This research enables us to find better treatments and cures for patients,” Dr. Wang said. “Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America. Learning more about these conditions is the most effective way to reduce disability and death.”
The symposium will also highlight new developments in the emerging field of regenerative medicine, as well as new technologies in cord blood and stem cell banking. While the symposium is geared toward the understanding and support for safe, ethical and responsible use of embryonic and adult stem cell research, Austin Heart and Heart Hospital of Austin are investigating the use of adult stem cell therapies only.
The symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and will run through 5:30 p.m. at the AT&T Executive and Conference Center, which is located at 1900 University Avenue in Austin. It is free and open to the public. Providers can receive up to six Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. To register, visit TXStemCell.org.
Texans For Stem Cell Research is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 volunteer organization dedicated to the advancement of stem cell clinical applications for the treatment of Texans living with disease and debilitating injury.
Heart Hospital of Austin
Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Heart Hospital of Austin is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades®—a leading independent health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack. Heart Hospital of Austin is also a five-time recipient of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success award. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. For more information, please visit HeartHospitalofAustin.com.
Austin Heart
Austin Heart, which includes 12 full-time office locations, 17 outreach clinics, and 45 cardiologists, is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas. Austin Heart cardiologists sub-specialize in every diagnostic and treatment area of cardiovascular disease, America’s No. 1 killer—interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vein disease, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction, imaging, women’s cardiovascular health and a nationally recognized research department. Serving the Central Texas area since 1973, Austin Heart’s vision is to set the standard in cardiac and vascular care, prompting the creation of Heart Hospital of Austin in 1998. To learn more about Austin Heart physicians, or to schedule an appointment, visit AustinHeart.com.